Now I know we just completed our 12-part Japan Trip coverage but these photos were just way too good to pass up. A couple of weeks ago, the Japanese Classic Car Association (JCCA) had their annual New Year Meet, featuring some of Japan’s finest classic vehicles. This is completely non-Honda related but as many of you know, I am a huge Japanese car aficionado so I love to follow every form of modified import, no matter what make it is. One of my favorites are Japanese classic cars and that is why you’re seeing photos of them here today. I just love the nostalgic feel and the unique look that Japanese classics have. I also love the way the older generation of enthusiasts modded them and I’m happy that they are still very relevant in our modern day car culture. I think that it is important to pay homage to the past and the people that came before us. Some of their trends have continued on and developed into something completely different, while many of the styles of modding you see are only existent today in Japan. Without allowing things to get too wordy, I just want you guys to sit back and enjoy some of these incredible shots by Koji Karimata. The New Year Meet was absolutely huge and there just wouldn’t be enough time or space to include every wonderful shot that Karimata captured but I have collected some of what I feel were the best examples from the event…
I’ll try my best to identify what you’re looking at in photos but I’m not gonna lie, this isn’t my field of expertise so the information may not be 100% accurate. Anyways, enjoy the photos and a HUGE thank you for the photos from Koji Karimata. He’s one of my main resources for keeping track of what goes on in the Japanese tuning community and I’m blessed to be able to see all of his photos. I’ve taken the time to clean up these photos and to fit them to the format of this site but it is a truly enjoyable experience because it allows me to also see the cars in full detail straight from his camera…
There are some photos below which I really enjoyed and have also attached links to larger, higher-resolution versions. You guys know the drill, just click the link in the captions if you see them…
Since it was a Japanese classic car meet, it was already expected that the man-made island of Odaiba would transform into Hakosuka Heaven…
A duo of sedan GT-Rs, one on Hayashi Streets, the other on classic Watanabe wheels…
Beautifully done black Datsun/Nissan 240ZG…
Mazda Savanna (RX-3) on Hayashis…
One of the best renditions of Takumi’s AE86 Trueno from the Initial D series… Love the meaty tire in the rear…
Nice subtle Hakosuka 4-door on Watanabe wheels…
Datsun Bluebird SSS with modern Recaro seats, SSR MKIIs, and externally-mounted oil cooler…
Really rare to see a completely mint third generation Mazda Cosmo these days. This is probably the first I’ve seen in photos in years…
C110 Skyline 4-door from Yamanori Factory…
Sleek KPGC10 Skyline GT-R on gold Watanabe R-Type wheels…
Dual Factory sedan GT-R…
Larger Version (1400×933)
Loved this red first generation Mazda Savanna RX-7…
Flared Kenmeri Skyline coupe on SSR Longchamp XR4s…
Race-themed Hakosuka with headlight covers, external oil cooler, and huge over fenders…
Great sizing and width on the Watanabes on this Skyline…
First time ever seeing a modded Suzuki SS20 Cervo….
One of the more extravagant examples of Kyusha style tuning with this Hakosuka on SSR MK1…
Mazda Savanna GT built in true Works style…
Another beautifully done Datsun 240ZG on aggressive Watanbe R-Types…
Toyota Mark II on what looks like Work Meister S1s…
Silver Mazda Luce Rotary (RX4) on SSR Mesh wheels…
This is BY FAR, the best looking Z31 Fairlady Z I have ever seen. It’s just one of those cars that leaves you breathless when you first see it because you wouldn’t expect it to look this good. Just beautiful…
This Toyota TE27 Corolla Levin is another build that just makes me happy to be a Japanese automotive enthusiast. I’ve seen this Corolla before and I have never seen it take a bad photo. The orange tone on the TRD Tosco wheels is just pure beauty…
Midnight Purple S30Z on Hayashi Streets…
Another well-executed Hakosuka, this one looks to be a 2000GT model…
This bright green Skyline stood out like a sore thumb in a sea of other Skylines…
First generation Z10 Toyota Soarer on Panasport wheels…
Skyline GT-R from Bay Side Crew…
Yokosuka Miyuki’s slammed Datsun Bluebird…
Classic Japanese muscle with classic SSR MK3…
First generation Toyota Cressida sedan with some deep-dish SSR MK1…
Skyline 2000GT yet again on Watanabe wheels…
Beefy-looking Kenmeri Skyline…
2nd gen. Toyota Celica fastback coupe…
One of my favorites from the New Year Meet. I really like that the owner ran a larger Watanbe wheel to give the Hakosuka more presence with a taller overall stance…
Massive bolt-on fender flares on this C110 Skyline…
Slammed Toyota Celica Supra… I thought this made for a cool shot with the cans on the side and all…
Z20 Toyota Soarer…
Old school Nissan Laurel on SSR MKIII…
Skyline GT on silver Watanbes with some really skinny tires…
Maruyuu Racing Toyota Cressida sedan on SSR Longchamp wheels…
Hayashi Streets and Watanabes are quite popular in the Japanese classic car community…Personally, I prefer the look of Watanabes on a Hakosuka over the Streets…
Nice brown tone on this Datsun Bluebird SSS…
AE86 Corolla Levin GT-S…
Vents galore on this Toyota Celica Supra…
One more of one of my favorite builds from Japan…Nothing better than a Mango on Toscos…
This first gen. Mitsubishi Colt Galant looked mean on Techno Phantom wheels…
Clean two-tone Datsun 240Z on Panasport wheels…Always did like these more when they had the headlight covers on them…
Datsun Fairlady roadster…
Interesting to see a carbon fiber hood on an older R30 Nissan Skyline… A lot of people think these are ugly cars but I’ve always been a fan. Something very distinctively 80’s about these things that make them so cool…
The tuning style is so simple but its crazy to think how much difference a set of flares, a front lip, and trunk wing makes on an old classic…
Clean FC3S RX-7 on Enkei RPF1…
Closing out this set with something that definitely isn’t a Japanese classic in any way. I just love how this RX-8 looks on Work Meister S1Rs… It sits just perfectly…
Thanks for looking everyone. Hope you enjoyed a look at some beauties…
Reblogged this on Bobsyruncle and commented:
Sharing this post from the homie Joey’s Stickydiljoe.com aka The Chronicles.
Reblogged this on LIFEstyle INC. and commented:
This is a super meeting at JAPAN!!! Thumps UP!!
Reblogged this on Tweaked City and commented:
So much awesome in this post!! Shout out to stickydiljoe.com!!!!
These photos are sick as! Love the hakos!